Ministry of Environment - Kootenay Lake Provincial Park

Parks Listed Alphabetically: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

No park alerts at this time

Park Info:

Kootenay Lake Provincial Park is divided into the following sites:

Campbell Bay
Coffee Creek
Davis Creek/Lost Ledge: Davis Creek and Lost Ledge are two small sites situated on the north-western shore of Kootenay Lake. With outstanding views of the Purcell Mountains to the east, these sheltered locations provide access to the lake’s marine activities including fishing, boating and swimming. Both Lost Ledge and Davis Creek offer lake view and shady, secluded campsites spaced within the forest. Lost Ledge is very picturesque while Davis Creek is less developed. Both sites are popular with anglers and families for their unique, informal camping experience.
Midge Creek: Access to the park at Midge Creek is via water vessel. Water-oriented activities are most popular, with angling for kokanee, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. Boasting more than a kilometre of sandy beach, it is a popular destination for boaters.

Other provincial parks located on Kootenay Lake are:

In addtion to the opportunities listed above, this park offers a number of other recreational opportunities. Nestled between the Selkirk’s and the Purcell’s, visitors can also discover Mount Buchanan Look Out, Fry Creek Canyon, Monica Meadows or Idaho Peak. Visit the Kaslo Tourist Information Centre located in the restored SS Moyie. This beautifully restored stern wheeler is designated as a natural historic site.

Park Size: 343 hectares - on Kootenay Lake

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is now available in pdf format.

Location:

Location Map
Davis Creek / Lost Ledge sites are located in south central BC, on Highway 31 adjacent to Kootenay Lake. Both sites are north of Kaslo - Lost Ledge 25 km and Davis Creek 30 km. The driving time to Kaslo is 30 minutes.
Midge Creek Site is located 38 km south of Balfour, on the southwest shore of Kootenay Lake across from Sanca Creek.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

There are no digital maps or brochures for this park.
Location Map

Nature & Culture:

Davis Creek / Lost Ledge:

History
Conservation
Wildlife - specific to park

Midge Creek:

History

Visitor Safety:

Lake weather can change rapidly, be prepared. Visitors should be aware that high winds and spring squalls could come up quickly.

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Reservations are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Vehicle Accessible Camping is available at the Davis Creek and Lost Ledge campgrounds.

There are no tent campsites, pull through campsites or tent pads. The campgrounds offer services during the peak season of May to September. These campgrounds offer vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis - campsite reservations are not accepted. Visitors can select any campsite and staff will come to collect fees. The closest pay phone and stores are in nearby Cooper or Meadow Creek.

Davis Creek campground with gravel roads has 18 small, medium to large vehicle accessible sites, 2 are doubles. The park offers both lake view sites with beach access or shaded sites in a fir, birch forest. A park gate is located at the park entrance. There is limited parking in the larger sites for extra vehicles.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $5.00 per senior's couple/night

Lost Ledge has paved roads in a circular campground with14 large to medium vehicle accessible sites, 4 are doubles. There is a choice of open, lakefront with magnificent lake views or shaded, forested sites in a mixed forest of fir, birch, larch and cedar. There is no park gate. Parking for extra vehicles is available at the nearby day-use parking lot.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night

Hours of Operation - All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)
- Davis Creek campground	May 1 - September 30 (Gate is closed during the off-season)
- Lost Ledge camgpround	Year round (Gate is open year round - but use is subject to snow conditions, as the campground is not cleared of snow.)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
- Davis Creek campground	May 1 - September 30
- Lost Ledge camgpround	May 1 - September 30 Off-season: no fee, no services
Campground Reservable Dates:	Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	- Davis Creek = 18 - Lost Ledge = 14
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	Not applicable
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.

Midge Creek: Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night, for all persons 13 years of age or older

No group campsites.

Midge Creek: This park has a day-use/picnic area.

Lost Ledge: A campsite and pit toilet is wheelchair accessible. All roads and pathways are paved.

Davis Creek / Lost Ledge campgrounds: Cold, hand pumped water is available at both sites for cooking and drinking.
Midge Creek: Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Davis Creek / Lost Ledge: Each site contains centrally located pit toilets.
Midge Creek: This site only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.

No showers.

No sani-station/dump facilities

Davis Creek/ Lost Ledge campgrounds:

While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood.Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

There are no developed trails at this park.

This park does not have a playground.

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Davis Creek/ Lost Ledge: For the very brave, some swimming does take place.The water is considered cool to refreshing. The beaches are pebbly with coarse rocks.

There are opportunities for canoeing and kayaking on the lake.
Davis Creek/ Lost Ledge: Access is from the lake front campsites or the boat launch at Lost Ledge. Shoreline canoeing is recommended, due to unpredictable winds and sudden squalls.

Davis Creek/ Lost Ledge: There is a single wide, concrete boat launch at Lost Ledge located at the north end of the park, past the last campsite. It is designed to accommodate full size boats. A 40-vehicle parking lot is nearby for vehicles and boat trailers. Boats can be left in the water or beached at either park but this is not commonly observed because of the changing weather.

Visitors can enjoy angling for kokanee, bull and rainbow trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Check the BC Fishing Regulations Synopsis for restrictions and quotas.

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

No horseback riding.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

No wildlife viewing opportunities..

No winter recreation opportunities.

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

Davis Creek/ Lost Ledge: There are windsurfing opportunities on Kootenay Lake.

No hunting in the park

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.